[4][5] Tae was one of North Korea's elite, regarded by observers as a sophisticated diplomat who was one of the "best and brightest" in the country.

[11] In an interview in January 2017, Tae stated that the United Nations sanctions on North Korea were hurting the Kim regime, and that it is under significant pressure.

[12] In another interview the same month, Tae said, "I am very determined to do everything possible to pull down the regime to save not only my family members but also the whole North Korean people from slavery.

"[13][14] In an interview in April 2017, Tae stated that Kim was "desperate in maintaining his rule" and was relying heavily on its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles to deter an external attack and preserve his grip on power.

[21] In May 2018, Tae published Passcode to the Third Floor (3층 서기실의 암호; 3層 書記室의 暗號), a memoir of his life as a North Korean diplomat.

[25] In February 2020, Tae ran for a seat representing the Gangnam District of Seoul in the National Assembly in South Korea's parliamentary elections in April 2020.

Despite initially facing skepticism regarding his campaign and having no connection to the Gangnam District, Tae easily beat his opponent, becoming the first North Korean defector to win a National Assembly seat through a constituency vote.

[29] Tae is married to Oh Hye-son (오혜선), a relative of Kim Il Sung's comrade in arms during the 1930s, O Paek-ryong.

[11] Tae stated after his defection that "I'm sure that my relatives and my brothers and sisters are either sent to remote, closed areas or to prison camps, and that really breaks my heart.